A mathematical odyssey into climate change

After signature showings in London, New York, Chicago and Dublin, the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef has arrived at one of the world’s premier science institutions. On view at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History for six months, the exhibition showcases the Reef project’s unique fusion of art, science, mathematics and environmentalism. Here, at the heart of the nation’s capital, hundreds of thousands of visitors will get to discover the geometric beauty of nature and the fragility of underwater ecosystems.

By actively inviting participation from people all over the country, the exhibition also highlights the Institute For Figuring’s groundbreaking work at the forefront of public science engagement. Here, almost 1000 people’s work is on display – a world-first for citizen representation in a major science museum.

Exhibition Content

Highlights of the exhibition include specially-curated versions of the Institute’s Bleached Bone Reef and Ladies Silurian Reef, along with a spectacular installation of our Toxic Reef, and a brand new Green Reef.

Also on display is a selection of individual works from our most skilled “Core Reef Contributors”, plus two large coral-pods from the amazing Latvian Reef, and Dr Axt’s ever-popular Reefer Madness.

In addition to the Institute’s Core Reef Collection, the exhibition also includes the Smithsonian Community Reef, the newest and largest of the project’s “Satellite Reefs”, which features contributions from more than 850 participants from across the USA and beyond.

Exhibition Credits

Institute For Figuring “Core Reef Contributors” in the Smithsonian Exhibition

The Hyperbolic Crochet Reef Project has been supported by grants from the Annenberg Foundation, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and the Norton Family Foundation.

VISUAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EXHIBITION: A PHOTOGRAPHIC WALK-THROUGH

A spectacular installation shot from one end of Sant Ocean Hall. Some highlights of this view are the ‘Natural History Cases’ of individual contributor works in the foreground with Dr. Axt’s Reefer Madness hanging above. Visible through the Green Reef’s case (at right) is the magnificent Smithsonian Community Reef designed to mimic the museum’s display of an ancient Ordovician coral reef.

Another look at the impressive mass of the Smithsonian Community Reef.

Installation view of the newly-composed Green Reef (foreground), looking through to the Ladies Silurian Reef in the background. The Green Reef features several wonderful psychedelic coral piles by the Scottsdale Reef crafters.

The Toxic Reef. In this iteration the Toxic Reef has finally realized its true destiny – this time around it is made entirely from plastic! Conceived as a response to the environmental tragedy of the oceanic plastic trash, and specifically the horror of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, never before has the siren call of rubbish been quite so festive. Featuring video-tape kelps by Christine Wertheim and Evelyn Hardin, Jelly-Yarn kelps by Kathleen Greco, giant plastic-bag corals by Siew Chu Kirk, and blue plastic-bag anemones by Clare O’Callaghan.

A detail of the explosive Toxic Reef, featuring Siew Chu Kirk’s beautifully crafted giant orange plastic-bag coral and a grove of Clare O’Callaghan’s blue anemones made from New York Times’ plastic wrappers. Hanging behind are hot-pink and black Yelly-Yarn kelps by Kathleen Greco.

Another ‘Natural History’ case demonstrates the endless and surprising diversity of coral made by our contributors. At left, the bold fluorescents of Ildiko Szabo and Anitra Menning are supplemented by a beautiful piece of vintage crochet arranged into a tower. Nearby, hang several whimsical ‘jellyfish’ by Arlene Mintzer, who has ingeniously incorporated colorful plastic hair ornaments into forms made from black plastic Jelly-Yarn. At right are the subtle hues of Mieko Fukuhara’s tiny staghorn corals displayed on an embroidered napkin along with a copy of Sara Simon’s exquisite “Diatom Book” (a miniature hand-made volume of classical crochet doily patterns.)

The Smithsonian Community Reef, a true masterpiece of collective participatory art that includes contributions from 850 citizens from all walks of life. The SCR was organized by Jennifer Lindsay during the period of March-October 2010.

When the IFF arrived in D.C. to begin installing the exhibition, we discovered the Museum had found its own method of storing contributions to the Smithsonian Community Reef!

We will soon be adding more images of this spectacular work – Stay Tuned.

The Crochet Coral Reef is a project of the Institute For Figuring (IFF). All texts and photographs on this site are copyright the IFF and may not be used without permission. If you want to start a Satellite Reef of your own; exhibit a Satellite Reef in any public venue; re-print or re-publish any of these materials; or incorporate the CCR project into any kind of educational curriculum package you must seek permission from the IFF. Unauthorized use is strictly forbidden.